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Simple English definitions for legal terms
edictum
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A quick definition of edictum:
Edictum is a Latin term used in Roman law. It refers to a law or ordinance proclaimed by the emperor, which had the force of law. It could also be a declaration by a magistrate regarding their jurisdiction or area of competence. For example, an aedile's edict could dictate how animals for sale should be confined to protect the public. There were different types of edicts, such as the edictum annuum, which was issued by a praetor at the beginning of their one-year term of office. The Edictum Theodorici was a collection of laws applicable to both Romans and Goths, issued by Theodoric, king of the Ostrogoths.
A more thorough explanation:
Definition: In Roman law, an edict or mandate; an ordinance or law proclaimed by the emperor. An edict was a constitution of the emperor acting on his own initiative, differing from a rescript in not being returned in the way of answer; from a decree in not being given in judgment; and from both in not being founded upon solicitation. As an imperial constitution, it had the force of law.
Examples:
- Edictum aedilicium: A curule aedile's edict regarding sales in the public market; esp., an edict giving remedies for sales of defective goods, animals, or slaves.
- Edictum annuum: An edict issued by a praetor at the beginning of the one-year term of office.
- Edictum provinciale: An edict or system of rules for the administration of justice, modeled on edictum praetoris, issued by the provincial governors in the Roman Empire.
These examples illustrate how edictum was used in different contexts within Roman law. The edictum aedilicium was specific to the curule aedile's jurisdiction and dealt with sales in the public market. The edictum annuum was issued by a praetor at the beginning of their term of office and set out the principles by which they proposed to act. The edictum provinciale was a system of rules for the administration of justice in the provinces, modeled on the edictum praetoris.